Envelope fastener machine



April 23, 1940. A. NovlcK ENVELOPE FASTENER MACHINE ATTORNEYS.

l1 Sheets-Sheet 1 MIF Abraham Nov/'cK BYQWMM April 23, 1940. A. NovlcK ENVELOPE FASTENER MACHINE Filed May l5, 1937 11 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEY;

April 23, 1940. A,`NQV|CK 2,197,826

- ENvELoPE FASTENER Mmmm Filed nay 1s, 1957 11 sheets-sheetv s Fig. A. /o

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Filed nay 13, 1937 11s11ee's-sheet 4 m mw@ mN Mm M .w4 A

ATTORNEYS.

April 23, 1940. A, NQVICK 2,197,826

ENVELOPE FASTENER MACHINE Filed May 13. 1937 1l Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig.

J 67 J RP /5/ INVENTOR.

-:Jl Abraham Nov/ck.

Z/ i E [52 BY ATTORNEYS.

April 23, 1940. A. NovlcK ENVELOPE FASTENER MACHINE Filed Hay l5, 1937 11 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR'. Abraham No v/ck. BY Maf m ATTORNEYS.

5f llink INVENTOR ATTORNEYS.

April 23, 1940. A. NovlcK ENVELOPE FASTENER MACHINE Filed May 13, 1937 l1 Sheets-Sheet 7 April 23, 1940. A. NovlcK ENVELOPE FASTENER MACHINE Filed Ilay 13, 1957 l1 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR. Abraham Nov/'CA'.

ATTORNEYS.

A. NOVICK ENVELOPE FASTENER MACHINE Fil Ll April 23, 1940.

. INVENTOR.

Abm/mm Nov/0K.

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A. NOVICK Filed May 13, 1937 INVENT OR. A bra/mm /Vo Vic K. BY www C 0M@ ENVELOPE FASTENER MACHINE April 23, 1940.

April 23, 1940. A, NQVICK. .2,197,826

ENVELOPE FASTENER MACHINE Filed May 13, 1937 11 ShetS-Sheet 11 INV ENT OR. Abm/mm Nov/'c K.

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Apr. 23, 1940 ENVELOPE FASTENEB Abraham Novick, Flushing, N. Y., alsignor to F. L. Smithe Machine Co., Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application May 13, 1937. Serial No. 142.393

29 Claims.

'I'he present invention relates to a novel method and apparatus for applying fastening devices and similar attachments to envelopes and the like, and is to be regarded as an improvement upon the type of'fastener-applying machine, and the procedure, disclosed in my Letters Patent No. 1,771,732.

`In that patent, the envelopes are fed sidewise from a suitable source of supply in a direction parallel to the cover ilaps, and upon reaching the station at which the fastening or other devices vare to be applied, relative movement is caused between each envelope and an insertable anvil, in a direction perpendicular to the direction of feeding, and after the fastening means has been attached, the sidewise feeding movement of the envelope is' resumed.

In contradistinction to the above procedure, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide for supplying the envelopes successively in a lengthwise direction from a supply in which the envelopes are supported in face to face relation; most desirably with their closed bottom edges resting on the support, which avoids a disadvantage encountered when the envelopes are supported on one of their longer edges, with the closed bottom edges at one lateral margin of the stack and the thinner open cover ilaps at the opposite lateral face of the stack.

It is diicult to secure an even arrangement of the envelopes when the thick bottom edges are at a lateral face of the stack, and the envelopes often do not start upon their travel through the machine in proper alignment with the feeding devices. When each envelope follows a direction parallel with its longitudinal major axis; in pursuance of the present invention, each fastener'can be attached during a simple dwell of the envelope in its normal path of movement; and another object of the invention is to make provision for reciprocatory movements of an anvil device into and out of the open, trailing yend of the envelope, while the envelope is held stationary in said normal path. At each fastener-applying operation the envelope will be arrested in proper register with a fastener-applying station having a vertical plunger, the operating axis of which is normal to the path of travel of the envelope and perpendicular to a broadside portion of its body; this axis being preferably disposed in a fixed vertical line intersecting the longitudinal, major axis of the envelope, which coincides, as above indicated, with the medial straight line of advancement.

This movement of the anvil into the envelope, while the latter retains its position in its normal path of advancement,` is much better than another mode of operation disclosed in said patent,

which involves pushing the envelope out of its path toward the anvil, for the reason, in the ilrst place, that the envelope is imsy to handle, and may buckle undesirably, increasing the diiiiculty of manipulation. Under the novel provision of the present invention, the eventual buckling to effect the opening of the walls of the envelopeto receive the anvil is of brief duration and is accomplished under control by a suitable mechanism.

So also the reciprocating movements of the anvil, toward and away from the fastener-applying station, are accomplished according to a cooperative feature of the present invention, by a mechanism which is effective eventually, by a swift movement, to retract the anvil for the short distance necessary' to position it where the next envelope in the feed line will slide readily over it, the envelope just completed -being simultaneously freed to resume its advance, thus reducing to a minimum the duration oi' the dwell for each operation and consequently making it possible to run the machine at optimum speed.

It is a cognate object of the invention to accomplish the operation of applying a patch to the ilap, and to perforate the ilap and patch simultaneously, concurrently with the application of the fastener, during the above-mentioned dwell.

As an object of the invention ancillary to the feed of the envelopes lengthwise instead of sidewise, is the provision made at the supply point for improved separation of each envelope by an improved sucker-and-rotor combination transfer device; a notable feature of this improved action residing in effecting the separation without linear advance of the separated envelope until initiation of the transfer proper.

Another object served by the straight-line advancement without deviation is to avoid hooking action at any time, between the anvil and the envelope, or undesired engagement of associated mechanisms by a curled ap of an envelope, which may occur when the envelopes are moved sidewise; nor will the patch material hook upon the nap, nor upon other parts of the envelope, when the latter is moved lengthwise.

A further object of the invention is to permit feeding movement of the patch material and of the fasteners, only when an envelope is in course of proper approach to the patch-applying station, forwhich purpose the invention provides a novel control device, set positively by a sensing or feeling mechanism actuated only when an envelope is coming up to itsproper position, the control device being biased by suitable 'means to bar movement of the patch-feeding mechanism not to obstruct their'straight-line advancement at any time.

Another Objectis to provide for accurate registry of the anvil, as well 'as of the envelope, with the axis of the fastener-'applying tool, by means of a suitable stopmeans for each.

A further object is to so coordinate the foregoing instrumentalities that all of the operations will be efectedby exclusively mechanical means, automatically; also so that the several 4mechanisms other than the fastener-applying means will be adjustable relatively to the fixed axis of reciprocation of the fastener-applying tool, thus making it possible to adjust the entire machine readily, so far as necessary, for operating upon different sizes of envelopes.

Another object is to provide a novel method of applying a fastener or like attachment to an envelope; said method, broadly stated, comprising the step of advancing the envelope past an anvil; stopping the envelope; inserting the anvil by advancing it in the same direction; applying an attachment to the envelope; then withdrawing the anvil and/simultaneously resuming the advancing movement of the envelope.

Other and ancillary features and objects of the invention will appear as the description of the particular physical embodiment selected to illustrate the invention progresses.

'in the accompanying drawings, like characters of reference have been applied to corresponding parts throughout the several views which make up the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view in vertical sectional elevation of a machine in the construction of which the present invention is embodied the section.being taken on the line i-I of Fig. 3;

Fig. 2 is a view in plan of an envelope to which has been attached a fastener device, and a iiap reinforcement perforated to cooperate with the fastener device;

Fig. 3; is a view in horizontal sectionon the line 3-3 of F'ig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view, and upon a larger scale, of the left hand end of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detail view in vertical section on the line 5 5 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detail view in plan upon a larger scale, showing certain of the parts illustrated in Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a view in side elevation taken on a larger scale, and illustrating also certainA parts not vshown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary View in plan of a portion of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary detail view in plan of part of the feeler mechanism and the conveyor belts;

Fig. 10 is a partial view in vertical sectional elevation taken on the line Ill-I0 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 11 is a similar view in vertical sectional elevation taken on the line II-II of Fig. 3;

Fig, 12 is a fragmentary detail view in vertical section on the line I2i2 of Fig. 13;

, Fig. 13' is a fragmentary detail view in' vertical section taken on the line II-II of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary detail view in vertical section taken on the line M-Il of Fig. 3;

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary detail view, similar to Fig. 14, of the lsame parts,` shown in a different operative position; Fig. 16 is a fragmentary detail view in vertical section taken on the line Il-N of Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is a view from a similar viewpoint, but showing the anvil and envelope in a different operative position;

Fig, 18 is a fragmentary detail view in vertical section taken on the line i8-I8 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 19 is a view similar to Fig. 18 showing some of the 'parts o'f Fig. 18 in a different operative position;

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary detail view in section on the line 2li- 20 of Fig. 21 and on an enlarged scale, of the patch-applying mechanism, embodying the parts illustrated in Figs. 5, 11, etc., and illustrating particularly the mechanism to support the severed patch en route to the envelope;

Fig. 21 is a fragmentary detail sectional plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 20, taken on the line 2I-2I of Fig. 21;

Fig. 22 is a fragmentary detail view in vertical section, taken on the line 22-22 of Fig. 21;

Fig, 23 is a fragmentary detail view in vertical section, similarto Fig. 22, but showing the parts in their operated position;

Fig. 24 is a fragmentary detail view of the mechanism for feeding fasteners to the fastenerapplying station, with an added means for incapacitating the same at times;

Fig. 25 is a fragmentary detail view in horizontal section taken on the line 25-25 of Fig. 24;

In a now-preferred embodiment of the invention selected for illustration and description, and referring first to Fig. 1 of the drawings, a supply of envelopes is illustrated at S, in the form of a stack of such envelopes as that illustrated in plan in Fig. 2, the envelope components of the stack being supported on plates il engaged with' the folded, closed bottom edge i 2 of each envelope, the envelopes extending upward lengthwise so that their open ends I3 stand at the top of the stack, and preferably with the flap opened, as shown in Fig. 2, but extending upwardly, although the envelopes may be stacked with the flaps closed, and means may be provided to open the flaps prior to feeding, as set forth in a copending application Serial No. 152,245.

Adjacent to the bottom-supporting plates or members Ii for the stack is provided a finger Il carried by an adjustable support M- and en# gaged with the lowermlost margin of the foremost envelope in the stack, which is intended to be the first envelope to be fed from the said supply stack.

In pursuance of the invention, by this disposition of the envelope components with their fourply closed bottom parts in close juxtaposition to each other, a more even arrangement of the stack is possible than where the envelopes are disposed upon a support engaged with either of their side edges, such as I5.

When disposed as illustrated, provision is made, in pursuance of one object of the invention, for imparting additional support to the foremost envelope, as by means of an upright plate i6, mounted on a bracket I1 extending from the frame member i8, the lower edge I9 of the member i6 being disposed at a suitable distance i'romthe linger I4. for a purposenow to be described.

`Each envelope of tire-stack S as it arrives at the foremost position, as for example the envelope E shown' in Fig.- 1. is separated at its lower margin E from the stack and drawn forward to the position at which E' is illustrated in Fig. 1. This may be accomplished by any suitable separator device, and in the instance illustrated, this -separating operation is performed by a sucker device S' the nozzle N of which can be oscillated by movement of a. bail around the axis of a pivot 2| journalled in a bracket l8r extending forward' from the frame part I8.

The lower edge I9 of the plate I6 is disposed in substantial alignment with the axis 2| of rotation of the sucker .bail 20. so that when the sucker nozzle N pulls the margin E' of a blank away from the stack, the portion of the envelope so withdrawn describes an arcuate path around the axis 2|, with the result that during this separating operation there is substantially no linear advance of the envelope, such advance awaiting initiation of the transfer movement proper of the envelope lengthwise toward a means for advancing the envelope in a straight path through the machine.

Such transfer movement may be accomplished by any suitable means, and in the instance illustrated, provision is made therefor in the form of a pair of rotary transfer members, as R', R", each of which is provided with a peripheral gripper G illustrated best in Figs. 12 and 13.

These rotors and the grippers may be of substantially conventional form, and upon reference to Figs. l2 and 13 it will be seen that each gripper comprises a segmental pinion 22, rotatably mounted on a stud 23 and engaged with a segmental rack 24, the latter being secured as at 25 (see Fig. 13) upon a shaft 26, mounted in bearings 21 in the rotor discs R and R". Upon the shaft 26 is also mounted a crank 29 provided with an anti-friction roller 29. The rotors R', R" are mounted on, and rotate with, a shaft 30, actuated by a gear 36, and the roller or follower 29 travels on a fixed cam 3|, this cam being mounted upon a boss 32 forming part of the frame member I8, and which serves as a bearing for the adjacent end of the shaft 30.

Upon the latter is pinned, as at 34, a cam C1 to which reference will be made later. An arm 26X, pinned upon shaft 30, as' at 30X, affords a bearing for the shaft 26 adjacent to the crank 28.

Upon reference to Fig. 13, it will be noted that the shaft 26 serves to operate both of the segmental racks 24, so that the pair of grippers G will act in unison and exert an even grip upon the leading edge of each envelope.

The shaft 26 has secured thereto a crank arm 31 provided with a spring 31X by which it is biased to maintain the follower roller 29 into engagement with the cam 3|.

Turning to Fig. 10, it will be seen that the gear 36 upon shaft 30 is in mesh with a gear 39 upon a driven counter-shaft 3, which is actuated, through suitable helical gearing 2, by the main driving shaft I, and the rotation of rotors R' and R in the direction of the arrow upon the gear 36 (see Fig. 1), i. e., counter clockwise, initiates the transfer movement of the envelopes, the grippers G pulling lengthwise upon the leading closed bottom edge I2 of the envelope whose forward margin Ev has been already separated to the position shown in Fig. 1.

'Iheabove combination of sucker separating device and rotor transfer members may be constructed in accordance generally with known devices for the same purpose, it being understood, however, that the provision of the plate I6 around thel lower edge I9 of which the envelope may be. bent'prior to the initiation of lengthwise displacement, as already described, constitutes a novel improvement over existing structures and is herein claimed as such.

Progressive withdrawal of the envelope then ensues. so that eventually the forward edge I2 thereof is introduced into the bite of the transfer devices, i. e., at the point T indicated in Fig. 1.

'I'his reference character designates a region of f tangency between the rotors R', R and a pair of spaced-apart conveyor belts B' and B", the belts being arranged in a run which extends from idler pulley 4I on a shaft 40 carried by brackets 4 bolted as at 6' upon the base B of the frameto pulley 42 driven by a bevel gear 44 engaged with a complemental bevel gear 45 upon the driving shaft I (see Fig. 3).

Along this belt conveyor, which extends in a straight line through the run of mechanism by which the various operations are performed,

is extended a guide. as GI, under which the envelopes pass and which depends from brackets 46 and 41 mounted at one side of the table or base plate B, this guide having a jog or bend J (see Fig; 9) in order to clear machine elements with which it might otherwise interfere. Suitable well known springs or rollers not shown may cooperate with the belts B' and B to press the envelopes thereagainst to assist in feeding the envelopes.

In the instance illustrated, the operations to be performed upon each envelope include the application thereto of at least two different attachments, viz., a fastener element and a patch element.

A suitable form of fastener element is illustrated at F' in Fig. 2 and conventional form of patch element is there illustrated at P.

It is intended that the patch P shall be adhered to the flap I0 of the envelope and that the flap and patch shall be provided with a perforation 9 which is so formed as to receive the tongues 8 of the fastener element F', in known fashion, the fastener and the patch being spaced apart at distances from the fold line 1 suitable to insure cooperation of the perforated patch with the fastener F'.

For the purpose of performing such operations of attachment as are required to apply the reinforcement patch and the fastener, the drawings illustrate a patch-applying station designated generally A", and a fastener applying station A'. The last-named of these stations is prefer- Iably disposed at the main axis of the machine, defined by a reciprocating plunger A which operates along an upright axis normal to the path of straight-line travel of the envelopes dened by the belt conveyors B', B it being understood that the plunger A, therefore, operates in a direction perpendicular tothe broadside face of the envelope E. At this fastener-applying station is provided preferably a chute C through which may be delivered in series a suitable supply of fastener blanks F', from a hopper H (see Figs. 1 and '7) in known or suitable fashion. 4

.In the instance illustrated, the chute C is carried in suitable fashion by a yoke 90 mounted upon arock-shaft 9| (see Figs. 7, 8 and 11) supV ported by an extension II'Ia. of a bracket Ill.

The shaft Il is provided with an'arm 82 connected by a link 88 with a lever 84 fulcrumed at 85 on a ilxed bracket 88.- 'l'he lever 84 has a follower l'l engaged with a cam 88 on the drive shaft I, a spring 88 acting to bias the follower 81 against the cam 88. y

By the action of the spring 88 and the cam 88, the chute C is adapted to be swung toward and away from the axis of the plunger A, and

the plunger is provided with a set of prongs 5l (see Fig. 7), which serve to enter the apertures 81: in the lobes 8 oi each fastener element F' (see Fig. 2) as each'such fastener blank or element is presented beneath the plunger by the nozzle N' of chute C.

Such engagement of the prongs 5l acts both to assure correct registry of the fastener element for the ciinching operation, and also to assure proper withdrawal o'f the fastener blank from the nozzle N' of the chute C when the chute 'is retracted from the position shown inFigs. 1 and 7, toward the right hand, as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 7.

' The chute may desirably have a yielding gate, as 52, acting to restrain yieldingly the exit of the fastener elements in succession from the nozzle of the chute. This is known practice and does not require further elaboration.

In pursuance of the presence invention, the envelope is arranged in position to receive the fastener and such other attachments as it may be desired to apply thereto, and for this purpose the invention provides a stop means designated in Figs. 1, 3 and 'l generally by the reference character M. Such stop means may desirably be pro. vided with upwardly extending fingers 5l, 54, shown clearly in Figs. 18 and 19, and which are carried by a block 55, in which the shanks of the fingers may be adjusted laterally.

In the instance illustrated, the block 55 mounted upon a `rail 51 carried by a plunger 58 which enters a cylinder 51 beside which is mounted a spring device 58 (see Fig. 7), tending to bias the block 55 and iingers53 and 54 upwardly into the position shown in Fig. 18, where they project into the path of the envelope E, as the latter is advanced along between the belts B', B".

Accordingly, the stop mechanism is normally biased to its operative upward position, and provision is made for retraction of the ngers 53, 54 at suitable intervals of time, to release the envelope held thereby at the proper time, and accordingly the permit resumption of the advancement of the blank E by the belts B', B". For such retraction, a lever 58 is shown (see Fig. 18) mounted pivotally as at 50 `upon a bracket 6i carried by the base B, said lever having an arm 63 provided with a follower 84 which is biased against the periphery of a cam 65 mounted to rotate with the shaft l as illustrated in Fig. 8 and Fig. 18.

As the cam turns, the roller 84 runs up on a shoulder 55 of the cam, and the lever 59 is depressed positively, carrying down with it the block 55 and fingers 53, 54 against the bias of the spring 58, thus releasing the envelope for resumption of its advancement as already indicated. Adjacent to the station at which the fingers 53, 54 thus arrest each envelope, is provided a pair of self-weighted rollers ll (see Figs. 1 and 3), each carried by an arm 12 mounted pivotally, as at 13, upon a bracket 14 which is secured by a pin 15 to'a rod 18 passing through an upright TI carried by the frame base B.

, The rollers 'li may be adjusted relatively to the stop fingers 58, 54 and held in adjusted posltion by-means of a thumb screw 'I8 in known fashionl' The rollers 'Il and arms 12 are thus ner well understood by those skilled in the art. They prevent any tendency of the forward end of the envelope to curl up or llump u'pward duringthe performance of the various attachment operations thereupon, and prevent rebound of the envelopes from the stops I8 and 54. Suitable tables ll are belts B' and B" for the purpose of supporting them and the envelope at the region where the rollers 'Il rest thereupon.

It will be noted at this point that the block Il can be adjusted along the rail Il in order to act properly upon envelopes of diiferent length. Binding screws 88 serve to hold the yoke in ad- -iusted position on the rail 8l, as indicated in Fig. 1, and the rail is mounted directly on the plunger 58, as already mentioned. A supporting bracket 8l for the tables 18 rserves as a guide for the rail 81 to prevent rotation thereof about the axis of the plunger 58.

'As an outstanding feature of the present invention, it has already been indicated that the envelopes are each held in arrested position in the straight path of advancement, without any deviation therefrom, in any direction during the entire series of attaching operations performed upon each envelope; and as a means to that end, provision' is made of an improved form of anvil device, adapted to be entered between the walls of the envelope, to cooperate with the fastenerapplying mechanism, this entry being accomplished by advancing the anvil device in the same direction as that in which the envelopes are individually advanced in their straight path throughout the run of mechanism of which the machine is made up.

The anvil device is designated generally by the reference character V and isshown in full lines in Figs. 1 and- 3, this being its retracted position. A clearance is provided at 88 between the anvil and the underlying structure, through which the belts B' and B" advance each envelope in turn, the body and ap of each envelope thus lying in a plane below that of the anvil, so that the anvil does not interfere in any way with advancement of the envelope in its straight line path of travel.

When the envelope has been arrested by the stop fingers 5l, 54, it is held there in readiness to receive the anvil at its trailing end, but before the anvil is advanced, provision is made for separating the body wall of the envelope at its open end so that there will be no failure of the anvil to enter properly.

As suitable means for effecting this operation, use is made of an upwardly moving finger 82 (see Figs. 14-1'1 inclusive), carried by a plunger 83 which is normally biased upwardly by a spring 84 (see Fig. 7) mounted beside the plunger casing 85, and operating as does the spring 58 which actuates the plunger 55 for the stop fingers 53, 54.

Normally, however, the spring bias is countervailed by the action of the arm 88 of a lever mounted pivotally at 8l upon a bracket 88 extending upwardly from the base B and this lever has an arm 88:: with an anti-friction roller 89 engaged with the periphery of a cam C" mounted on and secured to the shaft I.

When a gap c of the cam is brought under the roller 89 the bias of spring 84 becomes effective' to draw the plunger 88 and finger 82 upward into the position shown in Fig. l5, in which the finger provided, to extend beneath the adapted to act as hold-down members, in a man- `of the free end of lever |04.

Aacts to press upwardly the lower wall e of the envelope, as shown clearly in Fig. 16, the effect of this buckling action upon the lower wall being to create a corresponding buckling action of the upper wall e' so that the forward end of the anvil V can gain ready access to the opening e" of the envelope in advance of the ap |0.

This upward movement of the finger 82 is only v momentary, and immediately upon entrance of the leading end of the anvil V between the envelope walls, the roller 89 again rides upon the larger radius of the cam C" and retracts the finger 82 to the position shownin Figs. 14 and 17, releasing the envelope walls, which then assume the position shown in Fig. 17, embracing closely the forward end of the anvil.

'I'he anvil is now in the position shown in dash-dot lines in Fig. 3, to cooperate with the tool when clinching the fastener element F', the latter being shown in its initial positon in Fig. 17, but not yet described. Before describing the clinching, a description will be given of the means by which the anvil is advanced from the position of Fig. 16 to that of Fig. 17.

In pursuance of this important object of the invention,lthe means for' operating the anvil are disposed largely aside from the path of direct travel of the envelopes through the machine, and for this purpose the anvil is shown as provided with a downwardly extending member |0| guided in a slot |0|:c and to which is connected a rod |02 which is connected at its other end, as at |03, pivotally with a pitman |04 (see Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 11) This pitman swings from a remote pivotal support |05 upon the frame member |812, and has at an intermediate point |06 a pivot on which is mounted a follower roll |01, adapted to be engaged with the periphery of a cam C3 which is mounted on the countershaft 3. The roller |01 is biased normally toward the cam by a spring |08 shown at the bottom of Fig. 4. The springbias is limited by an abutment |09 in the path This assures correct alignment of the anvil recesses u with the tool Az (see Fig. 17).

As shown in Fig. 4, the roller |01 is engaged with that part of the cam C3 which is of greatest radius, and during which engagement the anvil is held in its retracted position of Figs. 3 and 16. When the shoulder C3 of the cam has passed the roller |01, during clockwise rotation of the cam, the roller ldescends quickly along the slabbed-ofl portion C4 of the cam, permitting the spring |08 to move the anvil forward with a quick thrust to the position shown in dot-and-dash lines in Fig. 3

of the anvil is provided with a series of cupY shaped recesses designated respectively by the reference character v; these being adapted to aid in clinching the projections f which extend downwardly from the fastener F' and are to be bent over into4 clinching relation with the under side of the upper wall e of the envelope, in usuai fashion. This operation is effected by descent of the plunger A which carries a tool Am adapted for the purpose. The blow ofthe plunger is absorbed by a stationary anvil Vx, Figs. 1 and 17.

It is not necessary to describe the clinching operation in detail as the same may be effected in known fashion and it will be sumcient for the purpose of the present description to describe noted that a lever ||0 is provided, actuated by a cam C5 secured tg shaft I, which cam is engaged with an antifriction roller mounted at .the free end of the lever ||0,-the latter being pivoted on a shaft ||2 and having an arm ||3 with a forked leading end I4 pinned as at ||5 to the portion I|6 of the plunger A.

The plunger A works in vertical bearings provided in brackets ||1 and ||8 of a standard ||9 extending upwardly from the base B.

Connected with the pivot ||5 (see Fig. 7), is a cam device at |20 bearing an anti-friction roll |2| which-serves as an auxiliary means f r clearing the chute C from the path 0f plunger A in the event that there should be any failure in withdrawal of the chute C by its actuating-mechanism 90, etc., hereinbefore described. The roller |2| is adapted to be engaged with a shoulder cam |22 affixed to the chute C so that descent of the plungenA is always accompanied by retraction of the chute C, although reliance may be ordinarily placed upon the mechanism 90, etc., for such retraction, in order to relieve the plunger A of this duty except as an emergency measure.

This standard serves also to support way |23 (see Fig. 7) guiding a plunger |13 at the bottom of which is a cross head |25 formed as at |24 with horizontal slideway in which is carried a head |21 which forms part of the patch applying mechanism now to be described.

The principal elements of this patch-applying mechanism are shown in plan in Fig. 6, and include a plunger |28 which may desirably be rhomboidal in cross-section, as shown, working in upright slideways |29 of complemental shape, this plunger having at a central position a bore |26 serving as a bearing for a narrower plunger |30, adapted for use in perforating the patch P (see Fig. 2) after its application tb the iiap of the envelope in the manner now to be described.

Referring to Fig. 5 and Fig. 20, it will be noted that the plunger |28 has a cutting member |96 at its leading edge, this cutter being Aadapted to sever a patch part P' from a supply of adhesivestrip S" fed thereto by suitable mechanism, a preferred form of which is illustrated principally in Figs. 6 and 7.

The patch supply strip, designated S, is fed from a supply roll W thereof (Fig. 1), and may be provided with dried gum, and in that event it is intended to be remoistened by passing it through a suitable apparatus for that purpose which may be general of known character in the respect that it includes a pair of rolls |3| and |32 (see Figs. 6 and 7), between which the strip S" passes to the patch applying station.

These rolls are positively driven by intermeshing gears |34, |35 actuated by a shaft |36 connected with a suitable driving mechanism, a pawl |38 (see Figs. 7 and 24), mounted at |39 on a lever |40 which is adapted to oscillate about the shaft |36, the pawl being biased by a spring 4| against the notched periphery of the member |42.

The lever |40 is swung to and fro positively by a system of links and levers |43, |44, |45 and |46, the last-mentioned of which has an antifriction follower roller |41 engaged with a cam |48 upon the shaft 30, and the vsystem of link levers and, assisted by the cam |48 and a spring |48a connected to the lever |46, and causes oscillation of the frame |40, and forward feeding of the strip S" unless the lever system is restrained under the following conditions.

In pursuance of the invention, provision is made of means to prevent such feeding in the 'absence of an envelope, and forthis purpose a sensing mechanism is provided, including a feeler |5| (Figs. 7, 9 and 25) secured to a rock shaft |52 provided with an arm I 53 connected pivotally with a link 54 having a slot |55 within which is engaged a pin |56 at the end of a strut |51 mounted pivotally at |56 Vupon a fixed plate |56a and which strut has an obstructing finger |59 disposed as shown in Figs. 7 and 24 in such posi'- tion that it will be engaged with a shoulder |60 formed at the lower/part of the lever |40, and will consequentlypi-event the operation of the lever |40 by its actuating mechanism.

The fingerv is shown in position to prevent the linkand lever system |43, etc., from rotating the lever |40 clockwise, and this is due to the fact that the feeler |5| occupies its illustrated posi-t tion below the level of the belts B and B", such j position of the feeler being due to the fact that no envelope ls coming past that position on its way t'o the patch applying station.

While an envelope is passing the position oc- 4 cupied by feeler |5|, it lefts the latter, which, by

rotation of shaft |52 and arm |53 serves to show the link |54 downward, and swing the end |59 of the strut |51 out of the path of the shoulder |60 of the lever |40. By means of the spring at |6| the connection between the link |54 and thev ment of the link |54.without uncoupling. Thev spring |6| biases the feeler |5| downward, and a rail G3 supports the belt B' against tie downward thrust of the feeler |5|. This rail is of suitable length to permit adjustments of the feeler support 222 for use with different lengths of envelopes.

It will be readily understood'from the above that this combination of follower, levers and link constitutes a mechanism which acts in the presence of an envelope on its way to the patch applying station to cause advancement of the strip S to such station, butin the event 0f failure of an envelope to approach the station properly, the operation of the strip-advancing mechanism is blocked to improper deposit of a gummed patch upon the underlying parts when there is no envelope present.

The roll |32 feeds the patch-supply strip S" through an open trough |63see Fig. 1, which has a curved portion |64 conforming with the curvature of the roll |32 and a straight portion |65 tangent to the roll |32 and extending through -a block |66 (see Fig. 6 and Fig. 20) which has a fixed abutment 61 and an adjustable abutment |68 between which abutments the trough |65 is `located and the shear blade |96 is clamped.

The block and the movable abutment, as shown best in Fig. 20, are trans'fixed by the plunger |28, and from the slide |21 extends downwardly a post |69 around which is coiled a spring |10 that bears at its lower end against a lug |95 on the rhomboidal plunger |28 so that the downward actuation thereof is of yielding character, and thus the movable shear |96 may be brought to rest and is prevented from damaging the underlying parts after it has severed the strip S" over the stationary shear edge |9612, to cut off the patch P', and while the punch |30 moves on to punch the hole 9 into the patch and the flap |0 to which it is attached.

In Figs. 20 to 23 inclusive is shown a means preferably employed with the patch-applying mechanism for the Dul'iwse of avoiding accidental displacement-of the patch P' enroute to the envelope, after severance.

To this end, the rhomboidal plunger |26, is

provided with a pair of leg-shaped members |65 moistened attaching surface of the strip and'of each patch severed therefrom.

The latches are biased normally to present their lower extremities |81 in toed-in disposition relatively to the edges of the patch P v(see Fig. 22), by the action of spring-pressed plungers |66 in sockets |89 of the rhomboidal plunger |28, screw-plugs |861: being provided to regulate the tension of the springs; and these` plungers or dogs |66 are engaged with bevelled heads |90 of the latches, the latter deriving support from fulcrum |9| transfixing the upright bearing grooves |86. Thus the tendency of the la'tch parts |81 is to toe-in toward the patch part P with a resistance which is designed to be overcome by the stronger force exerted by the spring |10 (see Fig. 20) against the lug |95 of the rhomboidal plunger |26 when the head |25 is caused to descend by the plunger |16 in the course of application of the patch, as already described. i

From the foregoing description, it can be readily understood by those skilled in the art, that when the patch-applicator |28 descends, the shear'member |96 moving with it, severs the leading end P from the patch-supply-strip S", and carries it down to the position illustrated in Fig. 23, during which transfer the patch is held between the toes |61 and the lower extremity |283: of the plunger |26. v

The patch is thus ejected past the toes |61, which are spread by the plunger |26 to permit the lower gummed face of the patch to be pressed against and adhered to, the broadside 'face of the ap |0 of the envelope E; and thereafter the plunger |28 is retracted upwardly by means of the nut |91 screwed upon the threaded end |96 of the post |69, which causes the rhomboidal plunger to be retracted positively upon each upward movement of the cross-head |25. The latter is moved up and down by the plunger |13, which is actuated by a head |14 guided by a post |15 and actuated by a link |16 connected pivotally at |11 to the arm |18 of a lever |19 mounted loosely on the shaft ||2, and having .at its free end a follower |80, Figs. '1 and 8,

elled and are thereby adapted to afford mini-j mum edge contact with the gummed and re-,`

biased toward a cam C6 on the shaft by which 'a recess B5 to serve as a die in co-operation with 75 the perforator |30, and may deslrably have a reinforcement plate B6, to present a readily maintained cutting mouth for such a die.

` erly to the fastener-applying station, it is desirable that no fastener shall be fed thereto, in order to avoid waste and possible damage to the underlying parts, and provision is made by the present invention of means to accomplish this `desired result by interposing a barrier in the way of the fastener-supply chute C so that the latter will be held positively against the bias of the spring 99 by which the chute is normally urged toward the feeding position illustrated in Fig. 7.

' While such a barrier may be of another form, the intended purpose is illustratively served in the present instance by the provision of a strut 2|0, Figs. 24 and 25, mounted pivotally on the bracket H9, as at 2I|, and having a free end 2|2 notched to present downwardly a shoulder 2|3 which is adapted to trap a detent 2|4 on the chute C every time that the chute is swung away from the fastener-applying station, viz., during the operation of completing the clinching or attachment of each fastener to an envelope, in the manner hereinbefore described.

As the chute swings from the position shown in Fig. 7, to that shown in Fig. 24, the detent trails along the under surface of the strut 2I0 which is gravity biased against the detent, and serves to effect eventually the entrapment of the detent 2|4 by the shoulder 2|3.

In order to release the chute, it is necessary to raise the strut 2| 0 positively, and for this purpose provision is made by the present invention to impart to the strut a lifting movement originating in the sensing means associated with the patch feeding mechanism, and which includes the mechanism actuated by the feeler I5| when the latter is raised by an envelope approaching the patch-applying station. This has been described already, and need not be again described, it being only necessary to recall the fact that when coupled by the feeler action, the arm |40 will be oscillated to and fro to advance the patch-strip feeding rolls |3||32. l

Accordingly, by the added mechanism shown in Figs. 24 and 25, a connection is provided in the form of a rocking bar or lever 2|5 which extends acrossthe abutment or fulcrum 2|6, reaching from the pitman |43 to an arm 2|1 depending from the strut 2|0, and whichacts, when the rocking bar 2| 5 is swung downward by the pitman |43, to push the arm 2|1 upward and thus tilt the strut 2|0 upward around its pivot 2||, thereby raising the notched end 2I4 of the strut toclear the detent 2|4 and permit the chute C to be swung to feeding position, under the bias of the spring 98 (see Fig. '1).

Conversely, when the feeler I5| drops to its position shown in Fig. 24, and as long as no envelope comes along to raise the feeler, the strut 2|0 will occupy the position shown in Fig. 24 and will bar movement of the chute C to its feeding position. The tool A may still reciprocate in the axial line of the fastener-applying action, but as no fasteners will be fed, there can be no damage to the underlying parts, and no waste of material..

Upon reference to Fig. 25, it will be seen clearly, that if the arm 2|1 which carries the patchapplying mechanism be adjusted laterally with the aid of bolts 2|8X, extending through slots 2|8 of the plate 220, the abutment ,2|8 can be shifted freely under the rocker rod 2|5 without in any manner interfering with the latter. or changing its mode of operation. The rod 2|5 may have a limit collar 2|5, to prevent its escape from the connection with the upper apertured end of the pitman |43.

Fig. 25 illustrates clearly also the long bearing 22| which is providedl for the rock-shaft |52 on ,which the feeler |5| is mounted.

II, and a supply roll W of patch strip stock pro-'i vided with its support w, and properly threaded through the guide trough |83, between the feed rolls 3| and |32, the machine will be started.

' At the initial stage ofoperation, the sucker nozzle N will rst be carried forward against the forward margin E' of the innermost envelope of the stack and then moved to the position of Figs. 1 and 4 by the cooperative action of the cam Cl, follower c1, lever |8|, rod |82, sucker lever 20 and sucker spring |83, and then the grippers G, as shown in Fig. 12, will be closed upon the edge |2 of `envelope margin E by the action of crank 28 as its follower 28 rides up on the shoulder 3|:c of cam 3|.

The initiation of lengthwise feeding of the envelope, thus begun in an arcuate path, will be translated into advancement along the straight path denedby conveyor belts B and B" when the bottom edge of the envelope has been thrust into the bite at T (see Fig. 1) of the belt-rotor assembly, and the envelope will be advanced through the clearance between the belts and the anvil V until its edgev I2 is engaged between the stop fingers 53 and 54, as shown in Fig. 18, which have been raised to arresting position by the bias of spring 58, which raises plunger 56, rail 61, yoke 55 and the fingers. At this position, the envelope is held, as shown in Fig. 3, with its flap I0 open and extending beneath the rhomboidal patch-applying plunger |28, and with its walls e, e still unopened; the anvil V occupying the full-line position of Fig. 3, vabove the flap I0 and beneath therhomboidal patchapplicator |28.

In order to clear the patch-applicator, and at the same tinie to align the anvil V and the plunger A at the fastener-applying station A', the bias of spring |08 (see Fig. 4) is now made effective by rotation of cam C3, clockwise, and the aforesaid spring draws the pitman |04 in a right-hand direction until it is stopped by the abutment |09, thus pushing in the same direction the link |02 which acts upon the shank V of the anvil V (see Fig. 3) to move the anvil in the same direction that the envelope has been advanced.

'I'he anvil is secured to a slide 200 working in a yoke-shaped guide 20|, and when the above advance of the anvil has been completed, it occupies the position shown best in Fig. 17, entered between the walls e, e' of the envelope, which have been buckled open momentarily to receive the anvil, as shown in, Figs. 15 and 18, by the linger 82, for which purpose the bias of spring 84 (see Figs. 7 and 14) has been made effective, by registry of cam notch c with follower 88 to permit the plunger 83 to rise momentarily; the said cam then acting to raise the lever arm 88x, depress the arm 86 and retract the finger 82, to permit the envelope walls to assume the position of Fig. 17, embracing the anvil V.

The chute C will now have been biased to its Fig. 7 position by the spring 90, to bring a fastener blank under the plunger tool Ax, and when the prongs 5| of the tool (see Fig. 7) have entered the openings 6:1: in the lobes 6 of the fastener blank (see Fig. 2) the chute is retracted positively and quickly by the action of cam 96 upon follower 94, link 93, lever 92, shaft 9|, and arm 90. The tool now completes its clinching stroke, under the depressing action of the yoke ||4 and lever H0, actuated by the cam C5 on follower and sets the fastener, after which the follower drops off the shoulder c6, and the spring 202 acts to raise the tool Az.

At or about the same time, while the envelope E is still held in its arrested position of Fig. 3, and after the anvil V has been advanced to the dashdot line position there shown, the patch-strip S" will have been advanced by the moistener roll and feed roll couple |3I| 32 through the trough |65 (see Fig. 6), to the position shown in Fig. 5, ready to have its projecting end severed by the descent of the shear |96 over the stationary shear |16.

For' this purpose, and to press the patch upon the ,flap I0, the rhomboidal plunger |28 is depressed by the action of the head |25 against spring |10, and the inner plunger |30 is also depressed to perforate the patch and flap (see Fig. 2). 'Ihis depression of the head |25 is accomplished by the plunger |13, link |16 and lever |18, the latter being depressed by the elevation of arm |19 through the action of cam C6 `on follower |80.

After the patch has been applied and perforated the spring 203 acts to raise the head |25, thus clearing the Way for retraction of the' anvil, preparatory to repetition of the above cycle of operations, which may be repeated indefinitely until complete expenditure of the supply of envelopes.

If, at any time, no envelope comes up properly to the sensing position occupied by feeler |5|, the latter will occupy the low position shown in Fig. 24, depressing the strut |59 into position to be engaged with the shoulder |60 Vof lever |51 and the arm |40 can not be swung clockwise, thus incapacitating the pawl |38 and the rocking rod 2|5. At such times therefore, the shaft |36 will not turn the feed rolls to advance the patch-strip nor will the strut 2|0 be raised, and the chute C will accordingly not be swung to feed fasteners.

I have described what I believe to be the best embodiments of my invention. I do not wish, however, to be confined to the embodiments shown, but what I desire to cover by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. The novel method of applying a fastener or like attachment to an envelope; said lmethod comprising the step of advancing the envelope past an anvil with its closed bottom edge leading and itsy cover-flap open and trailing; stopping the envelope; inserting the anvil by advancing it in the direction in which the envelope is advanced;

applying an attachment to the envelope: then relatively withdrawing the anvil and the envelope lengthwise of the envelope path.

2. The novel method of applying a fastener orv like attachment to an envelope; said method comprising the step of advancing the envelope past an anvil with its closed bottom edge leading and its,

cover-flap open and trailing; opening the envelope walls toreceive the anvil; inserting the anvil therebetween by advancing it in the direction in which the envelope is advanced; applying an attachment to the envelope; then relatively withdrawing the anvil and the envelope lengthwise of the envelope path.

3. The novel method of applying a fastener or like attachment to an envelope; said method comprising the step of advancing an envelope past an anvil, with its open end andcover-ap trailing; stopping the envelope; applying a patch to the ap of the envelope; inserting the anvil in said open end by movement of said anvil in the same direction; applying a fastener to the body of the envelope; then relatively withdrawing the anvil and the envelope lengthwise of the envelope path.

4. In an envelope fastening machine, means for advancing an envelope in a straight path, means for holding said envelope in arrested position in said path, means for opening said envelope, and means for advancing an anvil into said opened envelope, in a direction running lengthwise of the envelope path.

5. In an envelope fastening machine, means for advancing an envelope in-arstraight path, means for holding said envelope in arrested position in said path, means for opening said envelope, and means for advancing an anvil into said opened envelope, in a direction running lengthwise of the envelope path, and means for retracting said arresting means to permit resumption of advancement of said envelope.

6. In an envelope fastening machine, means for advancing an envelope in a straight path, means for holding said envelope in arrested position in said path, means for opening said envelope, and means for advancing an anvil into said opened envelope, in the direction of the advancement of said envelope, means for applying an attachment to said envelope, and means for retracting said arresting means to permit resumption of advancement of said envelope.

7. In a machine for applying fasteners and similar attachments to envelopes and the like: the combination of means to feed a supply of envelopes successively in the direction of their lengths; means to advance said envelopes lengthwise along an exclusively straight, substantially unobstructed path; an attachment-applying station aligned with said path; means to stop each of said envelopes individually for a suitable dwell at said station; an anvil device adapted to be inserted into the open end of each envelope in succession, said a-nvil being reciprocable in a path substantially coinciding with the path of said envelopes, into and out of alignment with the attachment applying station; and l,actuating means adapted to effect said reciprocation of the anvil dev-ice.

8. In a machine for applying fasteners and simeis escasas i Avice adapted mi inserted into the open end of velopes individually for a suitable dwell at said station; 'an anvil device adapted to be inserted into the open end oi' each envelope in succession, said anvil being reclprocable in a path substantially coinciding with the path of said envelopes, into and out of alignment with the attachment applying station; and actuating means adapted to effect said reciprocation of the anvil device, and. means controlling the operation of said stopmeans and acting at intervals to withdraw said stop from the path of each envelope, after each attachment operation, to permit the envelope' to resume its advancing movement. A

9. In a machine for applying fasteners and similar attachments to envelopes and the like: the combination of means to feed a supply of envelopes successively in the direction of their lengths; means to advance said envelopes lengthwise along aA straight substantially unobstructed path; an attachment-applying station aligned with said path; means to stop each of said envelopes individually for a suitable dwell at said station; an anvil device adapted to be inserted into the open end of each envelope in succession, said anvil being reciprocable in a path substantially-coinciding with the path of said envelopes, into and out of alignment `with the attachment applying station; and actuating means adapted to effect said reciprocation of the anvil device, and means controlling the operation of said stopmeans and acting at intervals to withdraw said stop from the path of each envelope, after each attachment operation, to permit the envelope to resume its advancing movement, said resumption becoming eiective simultaneously with retrograde movement of said anvil. I

l0. In a machine for applying fasteners and like attachments to envelopes; means to supply envelopes successivelyin the direction of their lengths; means to advance said envelopes length- Wise along an exclusively straight, substantially unobstructed path; and applying station aligned with said path and having a reciprocating attachment-applying means operating along a predetermined axis disposed in a direction normal to said path and perpendicular to a broadside portion of the envelope; actuating means for said attachment-applying means; means to stop said envelopes individually at said station with a predetermined portion in alignment with said axis of the operating means: an anvil device adapted to be inserted between the body walls of said envelope, and reciprocable in a path substantially coinciding with that of the envelope, into and out of alignment with said axis of operation; an actuating means adapted to effect said reciprocation of said anvil device; and means controlling the operation of said stop-means and acting at intervals to withdraw said stop from the path of each envelope. after each attachment operation, to permit the envelope to resume its advancing movement, said resumption becoming effective simultaneously with retrograde movement of said anvil device. means to feed a supply of envelopes successively 1l. In a machine for applying fasteners and similar attachments to envelopes and the like; in the direction of their lengths, from a supply stack in which said envelopes are disposed with their closed bottom edges resting on a suitable support, means to advance said envelopes along an exclusively straight, substantially unobstructed path; an applying station aligned with said path; means to stop each of said envelopes individually for a suitable dwell at said station; an anvil deeach envelope in successiomand reciprocable in a path substantially coinciding with the path of said envelopes, `into and out of alignment with Y said attachment-applying station; and a supporting means and anactuating means for said anvil device 4 disposed predominatingly aside from said path. and adapted to eii'ect said reciprocation -of said anvil device.

12. Inia machine for applying fasteners an like attachments to envelopes; means to feed a supply of envelopes successively in the direction of their lengths; means to advance said envelopes endwise individually along a straight, substantially unobstructed path; and a station aligned with said path, having patch-applying mechanism and fastener-attaching mechanism disposed in suitable positions relatively to each other to apply a reinforcement patch tothe cover flap of each envelope, and to perforate, said `ilap and patch, also having mechanism to rivet a fastener to the rear wall of the envelope, correctly spaced from saidl perforation to co-act therewith in fastening said cover flap when said flap shall have been folded into closed position.

13. In a machine for applying fasteners and like attachments to envelopes; means to feed a supply of envelopes successively in the direction of their lengths; means to advance said envelopes endwise individually along a straight, substantially unobstructed path; and a station aligned with said path, having patch-applying mechanism and fastener-attaching mechanism disposed in suitable positions relatively to each other to apply a reinforcement patch to the cover ilap of each envelope, and to periorate said flap and patch; said station also having mechanism to rivet a fastener to the rear wall of the envelope, correctly spaced from said perforation to co-act therewith in fastening saidcover ap when said ilap shall have been folded into closed position; a stopping device to arrest each envelope in proper position at said station for the performance thereon of said patch and fastener applying operations; an anvil adapted to be inserted into `the open end of the envelope to cooperate with said fastener-applying mechanism; and means for actuating said instrumentalities in coordinated timing, thereby to complete said operations by exclusively mechanical means.

la. A machine having the features claimed in claim 4, in which is provided a supply support, and means to remove said envelopes from the support and to transfer them, individualized in horizontal arrangement, to said means for their advancement along said straight path.

l5. A machine having the features claimed in claim 4, in which is provided a supply support upon which the envelopes are arranged, and means to remove said envelopes from the support and to transfer them, individualized in horlzontal arrangement, to said means for their advancement along said straight path, said supply support including a ledge to be engaged with a narrow margin of each successively lowermost bottom edge of an envelope as the supply is expended, the support also including a remote supporting bar arranged parallel with said ledge and serving to support and restrain the intermediate body portion of each envelope in course of removal; and a separator device adapted to be engaged successively with each lowermost envelope at the region near said ledge, said separator device being adapted to oscillate around an axis substantially coincident with the axis of said 

